By Paul Joseph
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has reaffirmed the commitment of the Adamawa State Government to strengthen collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency in tackling flood disasters and improving emergency response mechanisms ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
The governor made the pledge on Wednesday while receiving the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Yola as part of activities marking the official flag-off of the 2026 National Flood Awareness Campaign.
Governor Fintiri described the campaign as timely and necessary, especially as communities across Adamawa continue to face recurring threats of flooding during the rainy season.
He noted that the state had experienced devastating floods in recent years, resulting in the destruction of homes, farmlands and critical infrastructure, as well as the displacement of many residents.
According to the governor, his administration has already intensified preventive measures aimed at reducing the impact of flooding across vulnerable communities in the state.
He listed some of the measures to include monthly environmental sanitation exercises, continuous clearing of drainage channels and public sensitization campaigns encouraging residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer locations.
Fintiri further disclosed that the state government is making arrangements to establish temporary shelters for internally displaced persons in anticipation of possible flood emergencies during the peak of the rainy season.
The governor also appealed for increased support from the Federal Government and relevant emergency agencies to help cushion the impact of flooding on affected communities.
“With the rainy season already underway, there is a need for stronger collaboration and timely intervention to protect lives and property,” the governor said, while assuring NEMA of the state government’s readiness to partner on disaster prevention and response initiatives.
Earlier, NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar said her visit to Adamawa was part of nationwide activities for the launch of the 2026 National Flood Awareness Campaign aimed at educating citizens on flood risks, preparedness and mitigation strategies.
She explained that forecasts released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency indicate that about 33 states across the country are likely to experience varying degrees of flooding this year, with Adamawa identified as one of the high-risk states.
According to her, NEMA has already developed several proactive measures to minimize flood disasters nationwide, including early warning systems, public enlightenment campaigns, emergency preparedness training and capacity-building programmes for local communities.
She stressed the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments, community leaders and residents in ensuring effective flood prevention and disaster management.
The visit also featured the presentation of an award to Governor Fintiri in recognition of his administration’s efforts toward flood mitigation, environmental management and disaster resilience in Adamawa State.
Leave a Reply